Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) HOT TOPIC - End of traditional Morgans

Hello Jays,

That is very interesting... When is the last steel chassis - and therefore the last trad - due to leave the factory?

I think the award winning now well proven Ford one litre three cylinder Ecoboost engine is a no brainer as replacement for the 1.6 normally aspirated 4/4 engine, to power whatever will be their entry level model. Replacing same in the Focus/Fiesta range several years ago it develops similar power (123bhp) but more torque and better fuel economy.

With 140 hp version now available and larger capacity options up four cylinder 2.3 litre 310 bhp version, which has already replaced the V6 Mustang, MMC could have a single engine range to power all their future cars, in the short term at least.

I think the big question is the source of power, Ford or BMW?
It could remain a dual sourcing exercise, with Ford for the trads, BMW for the Aero Tub, with a new Lotus inspired alloy tub appearing in a few years.

BMW has the hybrid technology, Ford makes cracking small Ecobost motors.

I suspect hints will appear at Geneva.

I never thought I’d see myself saying this. With rising costs, more complexity, the need to recoup what will increasingly expensive development costs, the price of the cars will continue to rise above the rather inflated prices they now are. A number of us have said before that the cars are competing in a market of similar priced German sports cars, which whilst they don’t have the historic charms of Morgan, are better built, more powerful and handle a lot better. For a lot of younger buyers that means a lot....not heritage. A challenge for Morgan.

With the advent of more expensive alloy platforms, abs and safety requirements etc, perhaps the time is coming to stop the hand making of the body and bonnets and use preformed components making the process a lot quicker and less labour intensive. The “hand built by craftsmen” thing can be in the trim and paint shops.

And as my other half says....stop messing with the brand with silly bicycles with token Morgan wood “mudguards”. If you are going to sell a bike, make it folding so it stows in the car or on the rack....and offer an electric option!

They don't. Youngsters buy Caterhams and MX5s. Morgans appeal to the 50-plus age group. Fortunately there is a steady supply of them coming into the market place.



Very true. I am convinced that in the short term, MMC need to focus on high-efficiency petrol (Ford Ecoboost). Beyond that and for the medium terms (next 10 years), hybrids are the way to go. Beyomd that, EVS may come into their own but weight will be a problem until they can get energy density up.



Yes they do, but I think the challenge is not about technology, it's about cost.

A new 4/4 with typical options is now in the £45k region. For normal humans, that is an awful lot of money to spend on a leisure car. If they go much higher with their 'entry level' offering, they are going to find their market drying up faster than you can say 'An MX5 is half the price and is perfectly usable all year round as an only car'.

It doesn't matter how good they can make the cars if people can't afford to buy them.

Perhaps if Morgan go the BMW hybrid route they could use the DRIVE MODULE of the BMW I8 and put the LIFE MODULE (the BODY) on with a Morgan flavour?

Untitled2 by Robert & Ali Davies, on Flickr

Untitled1 by Robert & Ali Davies, on Flickr

Untitled3 by Robert & Ali Davies, on Flickr

Untitled4 by Robert & Ali Davies, on Flickr

Great concept and I'd love to see it, but given that a bog-standard i8 starts at £112k I'd hate to think what it would cost once MMC had finished with it.

A good solution maybe for the top end of the market, but hardly a 4/4 replacement...

What about a 4 wheel 3 wheeler with a simple pram hood? Any good?

Funnily enough, Jays and I were talking about the self-same thing yesterday at Prescott. A lovely concept, just a bit more civilised than an M3W but with just as much character. Could they get it through type approval, though?

Given the fact that most i8 drivers barely get 30mpg it's hardly ticking any enviro targets is it?

And most folks talking on here are allergic to anything remotely modern............